Alabama Football: 5 Biggest Moments From Alabama’s 2017 Season

1. 2nd and 26

The University of Alabama’s tagline “Where Legends Are Made” appropriately fitted this topsy-turvy contest.

Nick Saban made a decision that has been pondered over again and again.  Alabama was down 13-0 heading into halftime.  Sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts was 3 for 8 for 21 yards. The Georgia defense was placing eight and nine men in the box to thwart the running game.  Hurts did not provide any passing threat.  Enter left handed true freshman sensation Tua Tagovailoa. Tua had played in mop-up duty but had not played any meaningful snaps.  His first two series were shaky, but Saban stuck with him.  On the next drive, he delivered with a touchdown throw to Henry Ruggs III.

Since Tua had entered the game, the Tide’s energy level went up.  The defense was playing lights out, and the offense looked rejuvenated.  The Tide tied the game at 20 with a chance to win. Senior Andy Pappanastos missed a field goal sending the game into overtime.

The Bulldogs were threatening to score when Terrell Lewis had a big sack on third down forcing Georgia kicker into a long field goal try.

On the Tide’s first play in overtime, Tua took a 16-yard loss.  Nick Saban threw off his headset in his frustration and fans thought the game was over.  There was no faith in the field goal kicker.  On second-and-26, the unflappable quarterback launched the prettiest pass in Alabama football history to Devonta Smith sealing a walk-off victory for the Crimson Tide.

Next: Tide Post-spring Depth Chart

Number 17 in the national championship trophy case did not come easy for Alabama football. There was adversity and there was challenge, but the final conquest was glorious.